The hiring rate for professional or managerial level positions in China is second highest in the world behind Thailand, according to a report from a leading British staffing firm.

Of the 3,000 Chinese firms polled in October, 81 percent said they planned new hiring in the third quarter, up from 72 percent last quarter.

The November report, from London-based Antal International Ltd, revealed most new positions in China will be in banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and professional service sectors.

The company's October survey polled some 3,000 companies in China and over 9,000 worldwide, Li Zhe, a public relation's official with the company, said Tuesday.

China hiring is up on the nation's strong economic growth.

"The Chinese government has done a good job helping China rebound from the economic crisis, which has brought a real recovery for the Chinese economy," said James Darlington, the company's Asia chief.

China's huge domestic market is the driving force behind all the new hiring and also helps explain why many international companies, for example in the pharmaceutical sector, are now expanding their production bases and constructing research and development facilities in China, Antal's Darlington said.

The Asia-Pacific region, where 77 percent of organizations polled are hiring at the professional or managerial level, has been the most active hiring region in the world, according to the research.

Brazil has also reported hiring demand is up, with 70 percent of those polled planning to bring on new staff in the third quarter.

Globally, the sectors with the highest levels of recruitment are in healthcare, renewable energy, biotechnology, retail and professional services.

On a different note, the report also showed which industries are shedding employees, and in China the banking industry is axing the largest number of staff.

According to Antal International Ltd's Darlington, this is a positive sign for the industry as the upgrading of talent demonstrates the dynamics of the sector.

While the world financial crisis is still not over, Darlington concluded that a slow but steady recovery has been demonstrated in the professional and managerial jobs market since 2009 — especially in China.